Macron: EU ties needed to resolve Turkey crisis

The French president stressed Thursday that there will be "difficulties" in the mediation of the Eastern Mediterranean crisis, but that normal relations in the region have to be restored.

Emmanuel Macron hosted a meeting of the leaders of seven southern European countries in Corsica, amid fears of open conflict as Turkey seeks to expand its energy resources and influence in the eastern Mediterranean.

"Our objective is to restore normal relations that will allow stability in the region with Turkey," Macron said.

Heads of states and government of France, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Italy, Spain and Portugal urged Turkey to end unilateral and illegal activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and resume the dialogue to ease tensions in the region.

In their final statement, leaders reaffirmed their full support and solidarity with Cyprus and Greece facing Turkey's confrontational actions.

They also called on resuming German mediation in the dispute.

Russia also offered this week to mediate.

Greece and Turkey have deployed naval and air force units to assert competing claims over energy exploration rights in the eastern Mediterranean.

The seven countries aim at coming up with a united southern European front ahead of a full EU summit later this month focused on the bloc's strategy toward Turkey.